Southern one Okehampton 2

Duchy 4

OKEHAMPTON hosted Duchy in their first league game after the Christmas break looking to muster some momentum going into the second half of the season.

A physical Duchy side pressed hard from the start which made it hard for Oke to get into their stride with Duchy overturning the ball too frequently. It was not long before the away side managed to counter Okehampton and score the first goal of the game.

The home side responded superbly with an instantaneous break moving the ball up the right channel with Jack Watson engineering the ball past the Duchy centre back and into Sam Whalley, who calmly stroked the ball passed the keeper. Even though the home team levelled the score Okehampton still were unable to gain any control of the game.

Duchy were on top with territory and possession which resulted in a second goal for them. Some first class defending from Rob Hall, James Rodgers and Ross Davidson strengthened after the second goal and allowed midfielders Nick Luxton and Joff Stephens to start to make an imprint on the game.

Some well worked moves up to wingers Josh Speak, Brett Lawson and Oke man of the match Luke Miller started to test the Duchy defensive; however, to no avail with the away side managing a third goal before the break.

A serious team-talk and some thoughtful discussion at the break resulted in a switch of formation and hopefully a better second half.

Back to a more familiar style of play Okehampton started to play some excellent hockey and began to dominate the challengers. Some great interlinking between midfielders and attackers resulted in some great chances on goal and many short corner routines for the home side. Yet Okehampton just could not work the ball passed the keeper.

Full backs Jaden Read and Ross Davidson forced pressure on Duchy cutting out counter attacks and goalkeeper Andrew Hookway snubbed any chances that did manage to get through.

Disappointingly for the home side a rare attack from Duchy in the second half added a fourth to the scoreline and Okehampton would need something special to get anything out of the fixture.

Great character came from the hosts in the last 15 minutes with countless attacking forcing a mistake by the Duchy centre back, that was instinctively pounced on by Whalley for his second goal.

The home side battled through to the final whistle and left everything on the pitch. An admirable response to a disappointing first half that will give much momentum going into their next match.